Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.
Median salary
$50,620/yr
Typical range
$38,900 – $70,430
Education
High school diploma
Time to entry
No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning
What a Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics does
You diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical problems in cars and light trucks using computer diagnostic tools and hand tools. You perform routine maintenance like oil changes, tire rotations, and brake service.
Education & path
The typical entry point is a high school diploma. No degree required — short-term training or on-the-job learning.
Estimated cost of that path: No degree cost. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.
Related careers
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,860/yr
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics — $64,520/yr
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $61,010/yr
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists — $61,770/yr
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